Hormones – The Factors Nobody Talks About

The trajectory of your life is directly tied to one health marker that often gets overlooked: hormonal balance. Specifically, the three core hormones - estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone - which every human produces.

Hormones are not just about reproduction. They dictate our ability to perform mentally, emotionally, and physically. They influence long-term health, energy, and even the possibility of having children. Yet, most of us only hear about them when something goes wrong. Modern medicine too often waits until there’s a “problem” instead of proactively addressing hormone health.

My Story: A Journey Through Hormonal Imbalance

I didn’t arrive at this realization by chance - it’s been lived experience.

I had a rocky start to puberty: hormonal migraines, aggressive cycles, and irregular bleeding through high school. The default medical solution? Birth control. No bloodwork, no investigation. Just a quick fix that masked the symptoms without addressing the root cause.

In college, things worsened. Chronic sinus infections and gut issues left my immune system weak, and after contracting a variant of mononucleosis, I was left with crushing fatigue. That was the first time anyone tested my hormones - and told me I had extremely low testosterone. I didn’t know what it meant. I didn’t trust the advice to start testosterone therapy, and with no real education, I decided to just “deal with it.”

By my late 20s, I had come off birth control, and my natural cycles were brutal. The pain was so severe I’d sometimes pass out. At the same time, I was trying to conceive. After years of struggling, I finally saw a specialist and was diagnosed with endometriosis and infertility. My labs revealed estrogen dominance, paired with inadequate progesterone and testosterone production.

That diagnosis was life-altering. Accepting infertility as a woman who deeply desired children was traumatic. But I also knew I had a choice: stay stuck in grief, or move forward with resilience. I chose the latter.

The Decade of Recovery

My 30s became about overcoming the compounded damage from fertility struggles, autoimmune disease, and constant inflammation. Thyroid dysfunction, metabolic resistance, and chronic fatigue stacked up. Conversations about hysterectomy began in my early 30s, but I wasn’t ready to let go.

By the time I turned 40 - in the middle of COVID lockdowns - my body was breaking down. My energy, my metabolism, my joy for movement - it was all slipping away. Desperate, I hired a functional nutrition coach. And that decision changed my trajectory.

For the first time, I understood how knowledge is power when it comes to hormones. I dug into research, learned how these chemicals shape every aspect of health, and began applying that knowledge to my own life.

Breaking Down the Big Three Hormones

Here’s what I’ve learned - and what most of us are never taught:

Estrogen

• In Women:
  
  • Regulates menstrual cycles and ovulation.
  • Maintains vaginal and uterine health, prepares the body for pregnancy.
  • Supports bone strength, heart health, skin elasticity, and hair growth.
  • Influences mood, memory, and emotional stability.
• In Men:
  
  • Helps regulate libido, erectile function, and sperm production (balanced with testosterone).
  • Contributes to bone density and cardiovascular health.
  • Supports brain health and emotional regulation.

Progesterone

• In Women:
  
  • Prepares the uterine lining for implantation and maintains pregnancy.
  • Balances estrogen’s stimulating effects and regulates cycles.
  • Provides calming, sleep-supportive effects on the nervous system.
  • Helps prepare breast tissue for milk production.
• In Men:
  
  • Acts as a precursor to testosterone and adrenal hormones.
  • Supports sperm development.
  • Offers calming, mood-stabilizing effects.
  • Contributes to brain and nervous system function.

Testosterone

• In Men:
  
  • Drives male traits: deeper voice, facial/body hair, and muscle mass.
  • Stimulates sperm production and maintains libido.
  • Strengthens bones, builds muscle, and boosts red blood cell production.
  • Fuels energy, motivation, and mental focus.
• In Women:
  
  • Supports ovarian function and fertility.
  • Maintains libido and sexual response.
  • Helps build muscle, maintain bone density, and regulate fat distribution.
  • Increases confidence, energy, and cognitive clarity.

What I Wish I Knew Sooner

As someone who has chronically suffered from low testosterone, I can say this with honesty: if I had started hormone support when I was 19, my life might have looked very different. But hindsight is only useful if we use it to teach. Sharing our stories means someone else may live healthier, stronger, and more resilient.

A New Chapter

At 44, I finally had a hysterectomy. It wasn’t an easy choice, but it was necessary. The outcome? Life-changing. With hormone replacement, I’ve been able to reduce chronic inflammation, increase skeletal muscle mass, shed excess fat and water retention, and reclaim energy and clarity. I feel vibrant again.

This isn’t about telling women to rush into hysterectomy - it’s about empowerment through knowledge. When you understand your body, your hormones, and the options available, you reclaim control over your health.

The Bigger Picture

Hormones aren’t just medical jargon - they are the drivers of our performance, mood, metabolism, and long-term vitality. By opening this conversation, I hope to encourage others to explore their hormonal health before crisis hits.

Because when you balance your hormones, you don’t just feel better - you unlock your full human potential.

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